Big Interview: Budding motor sport ace Pierson Bullock-Carter

Lewis Hamilton, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell – just three names on the list of Britain’s greatest ever racing drivers.

Then there’s Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Damon’s dad Graham who are all firmlyon the pantheon of this country’s greatest exponents behind a steering wheel.

All of these names have conquered the world due to their talents on four wheels and have contributed to Britain being one of motorsport’s world superpowers.

As well as enjoying glittering careers, their successes have had the effect of inspiring the next generation to get behind the wheel and race.

Budding Preston racer Pierson Bullock-Carter is one such youngsters who has dreams of following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s greatest ever drivers.

While reaching the pinnacle of the sport may be ambitious, the driven 13-year-old is showing signs that he has a natural talent on the track.

Brought up watching his dad Paul race stock cars, Pierson decided to start karting around two years ago – and has never looked back.

Despite coming up against contemporaries who have neen racing for much longer, the Croston lad has certainly closed the gap and overtaken many of his rivals.

It was at Oulton Park when Pierson first began to make people sit up and take note at the start of last year.

Competing in the Manchester and Buxton Kart Club Championship, he claimed a top-10 overall placing out of nearly 40 drivers and was named ‘Rookie of the Year’.

Soon after he achieved a fifth-placed finish in the Northern Karting Federation Championship – a competition which tours around six venues.

This year he is taking part in the Rotax British Mini-Max Kart Championships and has made a fine start to his campaign.

At the opening round last month in Lydd, Kent, he finished third in the pre-final race before movng up to second spot in the final.

This weekend, he heads to Warden Law, near Sunderland, where he will be hoping to go one better.

“I only started racing in February 2019,” said Pierson.

“My dad used to race and I just liked the speed of it and the competitive element to it.

“I always want to win and that’s what I like about it.

“Before all this, I never did any kind of racing.

“But I used to go with my dad to watch him do some stock car racing so I have been around it for a long time.

His dad Paul added: “My dad Bill, Pierson’s grandfather, used to be a stock car racer and that’s how I got into it.

“I did some karting as wel years ago.

“Pierson’s come along and watched but never shown a massive interest in motor sport until the last couple of years.

“But now he’s jumped on board and cannot get enough of it.”

Pierson heads into this weekend’s meeting full of confidence.

He already has experience of competing at Warden Law after racing there in a meeting last month.

“I came second on the Sunday and then won on the Monday,” he said.

“So already know what the track is all about.

“We are going there feeling confident.”

In total, there were supposed to be six meetings which make up the British Championship, but that has now been reduced to four because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is Pierson’s intention to win the overall competition this season and then move on to the Junior Karting Championship next year and even veture to the continent to take part in some races in Europe.

In the long-term, his dream is to move up to racing cars as he gets older and then see what the future holds.

“The plan is to do this for the next couple of years; move up to the juniors next year and also do some European stuff,” he said.

“I want to move into car racing such as Ginnettas and touring cars.

“That’s the goal in the next few years.

“I would love to become a professional racing car driver.

“I definitely feel like I can move into Ginnettas or touring cars and that’s what we hope we can work towards.

“To even have a chance of reaching a decent level you have to be dedicated.

“I am 13 but I have to train hard and make sure I eat right foods. You also have to make sure you put a lot of practice in.”

Notoriously hard to reach the top, motor sport also requires a great deal of funding and Pierson would love to hear from anybody who would be keen to help him achieve his goals.

“It is expensive to fund,” said his father Paul.

“We have got a few sponsors who helps us out. A few good friends who are there for us.

“His grandfather supplies us with a race van.

That’s been converted and means we don’t have to pay for hotels at meets. He is very supportive of us.

“All the family are supportive of us but my dad really helps us out

“We would be very interested to hear from anybody who would be interested in sponsoring Pierson.”

If you would like further information, then please contact Paul Bullock via email at [email protected]